House panel eyes next steps for cellphone unlocking

The House Judiciary Committee could have more to do on the issue of “cellphone unlocking.”

The committee, which has worked on the issue before and is in the middle of a broad review of copyright law, may take up the issue again. Many in Congress applauded the announcement that five top cellphone carriers — AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint and U.S. Cellular — have reached an agreement that will allow their users to keep their devices when they switch between the five companies’ networks when technologically possible as a significant gain for consumers, but some are saying the agreement isn’t enough. According to a House Judiciary aide, Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) “welcomes the agreement” and “is in the process of reviewing this agreement and determining if legislation is necessary.” In a statement, Committee member Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) called the carriers’ agreement a “partial win” for consumers but said, “The process that necessitated the FCC having to take action remains heavily flawed.” Rep Chaffetz said he would work “with Chairman Goodlatte to help advance legislation that will remove the threat of felony charges for unlocking a cell phone.”